Published 12:32 pm, Saturday, May 31, 2014

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die … (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a KJV)

A florist needs to be aware of the important times in someone’s life, whether they’re planning a wedding, a baby shower or saying a final goodbye to a loved one.

“The floral business hits every change of emotions, from happy times to sympathetic times,” Sullivan said. “Your response to these changes has to be heartfelt.”

Sullivan first became interested in floral design when he was majoring in business at Texas Tech. After hearing the owner of College Flowers in Lubbock speak, he decided he wanted to know more. Sullivan called Louis Patillo, the owner, who said he was going over to a wedding in Midland that evening. He invited Sullivan to come along and help.

As a result of that trip, Sullivan was offered a part-time job at College Flowers. He changed his major to ornamental horticulture, received his degree and continued working for Patillo for 5 ½ years.

From 1986-2004, Sullivan ran Sullivan’s Floral and Interior in Plainview. He then went on to live and work in Horseshoe Bay, where there was an opportunity to design floral arrangements for weddings and other special events.

Sullivan recently returned to Plainview to help his parents downsize, he says, and he wants to give back to the community where he got his start as a business owner.

During mid-June, Sullivan plans to hold classes in floral design. A Texas Master Florist, he says the classes will take students through a wide range of horticulture knowledge and design techniques.

Sullivan, who has often spoken to groups and held flower design workshops, said, “I want people, especially young people, to see that floral design is a great opportunity for a career choice or vocation. Especially with weddings becoming so elaborate, it’s a great business to be in.”

Sullivan said anyone thinking of changing careers, expanding their creative talents, or graduating from high school and looking for a career opportunity could benefit from taking the class.

Beyond owning or working for a flower shop, career opportunities with experience in floral design include wedding coordinator and event planner, Sullivan said.

The classes, to be offered at night in sessions lasting about two hours, will begin with basic corsages and boutonnieres, continue with wedding and sympathy bouquets and door wreaths, and go on to planning an event such as a wedding. Flowers, blooming plants and silk flower design will also be part of the curriculum.

“Seasons are constantly changing, and a flower designer needs to keep up with the changes,” Sullivan said. “Most fresh flowers come from California or South America. Ecuador, where it’s nice and hot year-round, is major rose-growing country.”

To be a successful florist, Sullivan says, you have to understand that you’re selling yourself as well as the product.

“The flower business is a place to create your unique design style,” he said. “It helps to be outgoing, but if you’re not outgoing, you need to train yourself to be outgoing.”

The former business major remarked that taking business classes is also important if your goal is to own your own flower shop.

Classes will be held at 2206 W. Fifth St., behind Xclusive Tans. For information on registration, scheduling and fees, call Mark Sullivan at 806-518-9676.